9 SUSPECTED DI-MAUTE TERROR GROUP MEMBERS KILLED IN LANAO DEL SUR ENCOUNTER

NINE alleged members of the terrorist group Dawlah Islamiyah-Maute on Thursday were killed in a firefight  with government troopers  in Piagapo, Lanao del Sur, the Philippine Army (PA) said Friday.

The PA identified eight of the slain terrorists as  alias “Imam,” alias “Omar,” alias “Mikdad,” alias “Abdullah,” alias “Muhajeer,” alias “Hamza,” alias “Mauwiyah,” and alias “Mohaimen.”

Four soldiers were also wounded in the two-hour gunbattle.

Soldiers from the PA’s 103rd Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division were conducting operation in Bgy. Tapurog in Piagapo when they met around 15 suspected terrorists led by alias “Mahater,” together with alias “Engineer,” alias “Omar” and alias “Khatab.”

The suspects were allegedly the perpetrators of the bombing at the Mindanao State University on December 3, 2023, where four people were killed.

An encounter ensued that left nine terror group members dead.

The wounded soldiers were brought to Amai Pakpak Medical Center for medical treatment.

Brig. Gen. Yegor Rey Baroquillo Jr., commander of the 103rd Infantry Brigade, said eight assorted high-powered firearms were recovered at the clash site.

Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur and nearby areas were placed on heightened red alert following the clash.